Head Chef

Craven Cottage CC; Oos-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC is seeking an experienced Kitchen Manager to oversee multiple kitchens at a luxury game reserve. You will rotate through lodge kitchens, implement standards, develop menus and train staff while ensuring hygiene and discipline.

You will attend management meetings, plan leave and rosters, work closely with brigade seniors and procurement, and maintain peak guest experiences. A culinary diploma, 3–5 years in similar roles, leadership of large brigades, and a valid driver's license

Qualifications

• Diploma from a culinary institution.
• Minimum 3–5 years in a similar position within Luxury Game Reserve, Boutique hotel or Luxury Restaurant.
• Leadership role overseeing multiple kitchens and large brigades.
• Driver's license.
• Computer literate and able to work on Office suite.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through the lodge kitchens regularly, implementing standards, new menus and dishes and conducting training as well as performing checks on hygiene standards, staff discipline and brigade health.
• Attend management meetings, give feedback and provide recommendations to develop the department.
• Plan annual leave, monthly leave cycle and working rosters for all the chefs on the reserve in the most cost-effective manner to have minimal impact on the guest experience.
• Maintain high levels of hygiene standards in the kitchens.
• Interview and employ suitable candidates for vacant positions.
• Improve standards of meals and presentation in all kitchens.
• Resolve staff or food-related issues quickly and effectively.
• Work with the chef brigade to support kitchens during busy periods or cover absences of senior staff.
• Coordinate with Central Procurement on food orders, quality, and supplier issues.
• Communicate with Brigade Seniors for day-to-day support.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Hygiene standards

Training staff

Education

Diploma in culinary arts

Tools

Office suite

Job description

Duties:

• Rotate through the lodge kitchens regularly, implementing standards, new menus & dishes and conducting training as well as performing checks on hygiene standards, staff discipline and brigade health
• Attend management meetings, give feedback and provide recommendations to develop the department
• Plan annual leave, monthly leave cycle and working rosters for the all the chefs on the reserve in the most cost-effective manner to have minimal impact on the guest experience
• Maintain extreme high levels of hygiene standards in the kitchens
• Interviewing and employing the correct candidates for vacant positions
• Strive to improve on the standards of meals and presentation in all kitchens
• Act quickly and accordingly to resolve staff or food related issues that arises
• Work alongside chef brigade regularly to support kitchens during busy periods or to cover absences of senior staff
• Communicate with the Central Procurement on food orders, food quality and supplier issues
• Communicate constantly with Brigade Seniors for day-to-day support

Requirements:

• Diploma from a culinary institution
• Minimum of 3 - 5 years in a similar position within a Luxury Game Reserve, Boutique hotel or Luxury Restaurant
• Work History with Leadership Role overseeing Multiple Kitchens and large Brigades
• Driver's License
• Computer literate and be able to work on Office suite
• Excellent understanding of Special Dietary Needs
• Possess excellent communication skills
• Supportive leadership style while maintaining discipline through performance-management tools
• Physically fit and a highly developed sense of taste and smell